Dear Lifehacker,
I am condemned to being stuck in a small cubicle with low walls. I know Lifehacker has plenty of showcases for home offices but what do people like me do when they work in an office? I'd like some advice on what to do to make my cubicle a more comfortable and less sterile place.
Signed,
Cube Dweller

Dear C.D.,
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the cubicle—a long sentence for office workers like yourself indeed. Although there's not much you can do about the tight space, you don't have to put up with the generic gray color scheme and other uninviting features of your cubicle. Here's how you take that cube from cookie cutter to comfortable and customized.

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One thing to find out before you make any changes, though, is what kind of decorating upgrades you're allowed to do in your workplace. Some offices are fine with accessories but might not be too happy if you hang up a privacy curtain or turn your cubicle into an indoor garden.

Mask the Largest Surfaces: the Walls and Floor

Most likely you're boxed in by boring gray or dull white modular panels and the carpet is some equally bland industrial type. Since these constitute the greatest area of your small space, the most effective way to upgrade your workspace is to customize those panels and floor.

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The floor is pretty easy to change: Just add an area rug with a pattern or colors that appeal to you. If you tend to use your chair's casters a lot, though, you could instead get an attractive chair mat, like this bamboo rollup mat.

Other options include hanging motivational posters on each panel, using vinyl wall stickers, or simply putting up photos or postcards.Those 3M hooks and picture hanging strips are great for nail-free hanging, by the way.

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Improve the Lighting and Temperature

Your office's lighting and temperature greatly influence your productivity and mood. Although you can't do anything about the soul-draining overhead fluorescent lighting, spot lighting can reduce some of its ills. Consider adding string lights (who doesn't like Christmas lights?), a small accent lamp with a bold shade (as in the Noir Cubicle shown at right), or a lamp with a full spectrum bulb (to make you feel like you're working in sunlight).

If your office thermostat is set to "frigid," get the temperature just right for you with a portable heater. Conversely, a desk fan might help if it feels like your officemates are trying see how fast they can bake you.

If you'd rather avoid the health problems associated with sitting all day, you can create a standing desk in your cubicle. The one at right, by Christopher, winner of our office Hacker Challenge, manages to blend into the beige cubicle decor, but there are also simpler solutions such as using reams of printer paper or a monitor mount to get your monitor to standing-friendly height.

Toys and collections: While you probably don't want to go overboard with a ton of stuffed animals or other tchotchkes in your cubicle, a few well-placed, fun items could make your workspace more joyful. Some people like Sci-Fi action figures, some like building blocks, and others even more eclectic desk paraphernalia and accessories. Add a few of these—they work best if themed together—but be careful of going overboard cluttering your space or including items that could be deemed inappropriate for work. (Decorating your cubicle isn't the same as decorating your college dorm.)

Privacy-Boosting Accessories: If you have a problem with coworkers randomly invading your cubicle when you're trying to work, a folding shoji screen could come in handy. (Or at the very least, keep a pair of headphones at the ready so you can put up that universal sign for "don't bother me.")

Get Inspiration from Others' Cubicle Hacks

Here are some of the inspiring and creative cubicle upgrades and advice we've seen on Lifehacker. Adopt the ideas that work for you and enjoy making your workspace feel more like home and a little less like just another cell in the hive.